Absolutely
Without it the point of the buttstock digs into the bag and isn’t as stable. With the rider it is easier to keep the buttstock stable on the bag.
You need to find targets and range first which is easier to do with a plate and a bag. I find that i am more stable shooting off a plate/bag than direct off tripod, but you will burn some time swapping plate off for rifle.
Thats my experience but every person is different
I use a similar tac table to the SRS one with a Git-Lite filled Bone Bag on top of it. Works for glassing as well as for shooting off of. Depending on the hike up the hill when hunting - I take the exact same set up.
Personally I wont carry a 7-8 lb bag hunting so I work with my lighter bag for...
Have a 4th gen G20 and wish it was easy enough to get an optics ready slide to try it with optics without machining my only slide.
It rides really well behind my bino case in a Venandi bino holster.
The Ti Pro 5 Self Timing brake feels like it offers a bunch recoil reduction for the weight. It’s 2.4 oz on my scale. Have them on 3 rifles and they work very well. They are well made and machined.
Avail is a good small daypack. You don't want to haul anything with it. I have an Xcurve and have a Solo 3600, Sky 7900 and just got the Approach to consider replacing the 3600. The Approach so far seems like a great day hunt bag to ride on an Xcurve so that you could still haul something out...
I use the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork.
Out of curiosity why the no cork grip? As an alternative my backup pair is the Black Diamond Trail that I got on a big discount sale.
I was never a chassis person until I got a magnesium Element, but one huge advantage I can say for sure with the XLR Element and folder is how short you can make the rifle for packing on your backpack.
Bartlein, Krieger and Hawk Hill have all been good barrels. Krieger have typically run the fastest per caliber for me, but Bartlein and Hawk Hill have always been good barrels. I have used more Bartleins than anything especially considering the Impact by Stuteville barrels are all Bartlein.
Second time I have hunted with him. Mid November will be much nicer temperature wise. I’m assuming you are going to the Livingston Ranch? Make sure you have trekking poles, good boots and gloves. Everything has a thorn on it. Good gaiters are a plus and or by then something like KUIU brush pants...